Tracking device, system for tracking objects, and associated method of use

ABSTRACT

A tracking device including a housing, wherein the housing includes a cavity, and further wherein the housing is adapted for association with a user; an optional securement member, wherein the optional securement member is associated with at least a portion of the housing; a tracking assembly that tracks a motion logic and defines a job function of an employee/janitor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/435,945 entitled “Tracking Device, System For Tracking Objects, AndAssociated Method Of Use,” filed Jun. 10, 2019, which is a continuationof U.S. application Ser. No. 16/280,413 entitled “Tracking Device,System For Tracking Objects, And Associated Method Of Use,” filed Feb.20, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/632,646, filed Feb. 20, 2018, entitled “Tracking Device, SystemFor Tracking Objects, And Associated Method Of Use,” which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety—including allreferences and appendices cited therein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to tracking devices, and, moreparticularly, to portable tracking devices (e.g., wristbands, watches,etcetera) which track the activities of objects (e.g., personnel,employees, contractors, janitors, equipment, etcetera) via, radiofrequency (e.g., extremely low frequency (3-30 Hz) to tremendously highfrequency (300-3,000 GHz)) for validation and/or maximization ofefficiency and/or accountability. The present invention further relatesto systems for tracking objects, such as personnel/equipment, andassociated methods of using these devices and systems.

By way of example, customers of contract cleaning companies, are notable to easily verify whether or not the personnel they have hired aredoing their job properly (e.g., cleaning all designated and/orpredetermined areas) and/or spending sufficient time on the task theyhave been hired to complete. This is especially problematic because mostcontract cleaning occurs off-shift and/or when the business establishedis closed and/or unmonitored. The tracking devices and systems of thepresent invention enable one to remotely monitor and report, forexample, how much time a janitor spends on his/her tasks per hour, day,week, month and even years. The tracking devices and systems of thepresent invention further enable one to remotely ascertain whether aspecific job or task has been completed properly.

2. Background Art

Tracking devices and tracking systems have been known in the art foryears, and are the subject of a plurality of patents including, forexample: U.S. Pat. No. 9,881,277 entitled “Wrist Band Haptic FeedbackSystem,” U.S. Pat. No. 9,881,276 entitled “Ultrasonic Bracelet andReceiver for Detecting Position in 2D Plane,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,684entitled “Personal Tracking Device,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,529,131 entitled“Electronic Tether,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,388,612 entitled “Global CellularPosition Tracking Device,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,362,778 entitled “PersonalLocation Detection System,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,931 entitled “Device forMonitoring the Movement of a Person,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,080 entitled“Body Worn Active and Passive Tracking Device,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,461entitled “Global Positioning Satellite Tracking Device,” U.S. Pat. No.5,892,454 entitled “Hybrid Monitoring of Location of a Site Confinee,”U.S. Pat. No. 5,828,306 entitled “Location Detector and Monitor andMethod of Using the Same,” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,897 entitled “HomeIncarceration System”—all of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety including the references cited therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,881,277 appears to disclose inventory management systemsand related methods which employ radio frequency based tracking of aworker's hands to monitor performance of inventory tasks. An inventorymanagement system includes inventory bins, a user-wearable unitconfigured to be worn in proximity to a user's hand, fixed RF antennasconfigured to transmit at least one RF interrogation signal and receiveat least one RF response signal, an RF transceiver operatively coupledwith the fixed RF antennas, and a management module operatively coupledwith the RF transceiver. The user-wearable unit includes an RFtransceiver configured to transmit RF response signals in response toreception of the at least one RF interrogation signal. The managementmodule is configured to process signals generated by the RF transceiverto track locations of the user-wearable unit and identify an inventorybin based on proximity of the user-wearable unit to the identifiedinventory bin to monitor performance of an inventory system task.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,881,276 appears to disclose ultrasonic tracking of aworker's hands may be used to monitor performance of assigned tasks. Aninventory system includes inventory bins configured to store inventoryitems, an ultrasonic unit, ultrasonic transducers, and a managementmodule. The ultrasonic unit is configured to be worn by a user inproximity to the user's hand and to periodically emit ultrasonic soundpulses. The ultrasonic transducers are arranged relative to theinventory bins and configured to receive the emitted pulses. Themanagement module is operatively coupled with the ultrasonic transducersand configured to process signals generated by the ultrasonictransducers to identify an inventory bin based on proximity of theultrasonic unit relative to the identified inventory bin. The managementmodule monitors performance of an assigned task based on the identifiedinventory bin.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,684 appears to disclose a system for monitoring thelocation of individuals, such as parolees, which includes a wearabledevice worn by the individual and a portable device operatively coupledto the wearable device. The portable device is operatively coupled to amonitoring system through a wireless telephone network. The portabledevice transmits periodically encrypted location information as well asstatus information across the wireless network to the monitoring system.The monitoring system tracks the location of the individual and alertsthe appropriate authorities when the individual violates a rule, such asa condition for parole. The portable device increases the time betweentransmissions when the individual is within a specified home locationand reduces the time between transmissions when outside the specifiedlocation.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,529,131 appears to disclose an apparatus for determiningdistance and location of a subordinate unit relative to a master unit.There may be a plurality of subordinate units for a single master unit.Both the master and subordinate unit(s) consist of a GPS receiver, RFtransceiver, power supply, electronic compass, user interface andmicroprocessor. The master unit periodically polls and exchanges datawith the subordinate unit via an RF transmission. The master unitprocesses the data and displays it on a display as distance anddirection to a subordinate unit. The subordinate unit also processesdata and displays it on a display as distance and direction to themaster unit. Additionally, the master unit compares the data to userselectable predefined parameters. If the data is not within thoseparameters, the master unit initiates an alarm condition at both themaster and subordinate unit.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,388,612 appears to disclose a global positioning andtracking system for locating objects including a plurality of trackingdevices each releasably secured to an object and a central monitoringstation. Each tracking device includes a processing device for storingan identification code unique to the tracking device, determining alocation of the tracking device and generating a position signal basedupon the determined location, a cellular transmitter/receiver forreceiving and initiating cellular transmissions. The central monitoringstation receives a location request and identification code from a userand initiates a cellular transmission including the identification codeto a telephone number assigned to the tracking units. Upon receipt ofthe cellular transmission each tracking unit compares the identificationcode with its stored identification code. The tracking unit with astored identification code determined to match the receivedidentification code generates and transmits a position signal to thecentral monitoring station via cellular transmission channels. Thecentral monitoring station then relays the position signal to the user.The user is able to provide a location request to the central monitoringstation by at least one of a telephone communication and an electronicmessage via an Internet connection. Each tracking device is also able togenerate a distress signal for transmission to the central monitoringunit upon detection of an emergency situation or automatically uponbreaking of the circuit of the tracking unit.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,362,778 appears to disclose a personal locator systemfor determining the location of a locator unit. The system includes alocator device in communication with both a central station and a GPSsatellite. The locator unit includes a portable housing able to be wornabout the wrist of a user. A communication system is positioned withinthe housing for contacting the central station and includes atransmitter and receiver. A GPS unit is also positioned within thehousing for contacting the GPS system for determining a location of saidlocator device. Upon receipt of a location request signal by thereceiver from the central station, the locator unit activates the GPSunit to contact the GPS system and receive location data therefrom. Uponreceipt of the location data, the transmitter transmits the locationdata to the central station for analysis. A panic button is provided fortransmitting an emergency signal to the central station and initiatingdetecting the location of the locator unit. A non-emergency call buttonis provided for transmitting a location request signal to the centralstation and in response thereto, informing a person on the contact listas to the location of the locator device. The communication systemutilizes one of a POTS, cellular, PCS or internet communicationsnetwork. A tamper detection sensor detects when said device is tamperedwith. A beacon generator generates an ultrasonic or radio frequencybeacon signal for aiding a person in pinpointing a location of thedevice.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,931 appears to disclose a device for monitoring themovement of a person including a homing unit and a base unit. The homingunit includes a device for generating a homing signal and a transmitterfor transmitting the homing signal at predetermined intervals. The baseunit includes a receiver for receiving the homing signal, a processorfor processing the homing signal to determine whether the homing unit iswithin a predetermined distance from the base unit and generating analarm signal upon determining the homing unit is at a distance from thebase unit greater than the predetermined distance. An alarm is providedon the base unit for alerting a user that the homing unit has moved adistance greater than the predetermined distance from the base unit uponreceipt of the alarm signal from the processor. The alarm is at leastone of an audible alarm, a visible alarm and a vibratory alarm. At leastone of the base unit and homing unit includes a device for adjusting thepredetermined distance. The processor determines a time between receiptof sequentially transmitted homing signals to determine the distancebetween the base unit and homing unit. The base unit further includes adisplay for displaying the distance between the base unit and homingunit and a direction to the homing unit from the base unit.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,080 appears to disclose a tamper resistant body-worntracking device to be worn by offenders or potential victims for use ina wireless communication system receiving signals from a globalpositioning system (GPS). The tracking device directly communicatesspacial coordinates to multiple remote sites. The tracking device is anenclosed case worn on a limb of a person. The case contains a battery, asignaling device, and a circuit board containing a field programmablegate array, a wireless data modem, a conventional GPS receiver, and amatched filtering GPS receiver.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,461 appears to disclose a global positioning andtracking system for locating one of a person and item of property. Theglobal positioning and tracking system comprises at least one trackingdevice for connection to the one of the person and item of propertyincluding a processing device for determining a location of the trackingdevice and generating a position signal and a transmitter fortransmitting said position signal. The position signal is transmitted toa relay station strategically positioned about a desired monitoringarea. The relay station includes a device for receiving the positionalsignal and determining if the received position signal is a valid signaland a device for relaying the position signal upon determining theposition signal is valid to a central monitoring station. The centralmonitoring station receives the validated positional signal from therelay station and analyzes the position signal for monitoring theposition of the tracking device. The system may also include a trackingsatellite for receiving the validated position signal from the relaystation and re-transmitting the position signal to the centralmonitoring station when the central monitoring station is locatedoutside the transmission range of the relay station.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,454 appears to disclose a method and apparatus formonitoring present location of a person (confinee) who is to be confinedto a designated site, which site can have a diameter as small as a fewmeters or as large as several kilometers. The present location of theconfinee is checked at selected time intervals with time periods rangingfrom one second to thousands of seconds, as desired. The confinee wearsa location-determining (LD) unit that receives electromagnetic signalsthat contain information allowing determination of the present locationof the LD unit, and thus of the confinee, from three or morenon-collinear outdoor LD signal sources and from three or morenon-collinear indoor LD signal sources. The indoor LD signal sources maybe radiowave transmitters. The outdoor LD signal sources may betransmitters for a Loran, Omega, Decca, Tacan, JTIDS Relnav or PLRS orsimilar ground-based system, or transmitters for a satellite positioningsystem, such as GPS or GLONASS. The relative phases or transmissiontimes for the signals from each indoor LD signal source are determinedand provided for the LD unit. The present location or change location ofthe LD unit is determined and compared with the permitted site locationcoordinates at a sequence of selected times to determine if the confineeis present at the site at such times. The LD unit issues an alarm signalif the confinee is not on the site and has not arranged beforehand toleave the permitted site for a selected time interval. The permittedsite can be redefined, for a selected time interval, to include thefirst permitted site, a second permitted site and a corridor extendingbetween the first and second permitted sites for a selected timeinterval, after which the permitted site can be changed again to includeonly the first or the second permitted site or a portion thereof. Thisallows the confinee to temporarily leave the original permitted site toseek medical attention or to attend to other needs, or to be movedpermanently to the second site. The permitted site can be redefined atany time and for any subsequent time interval. One or more exclusionsites can be designated where the confinee is not permitted to go at anytime.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,828,306 appears to disclose a location detector andmonitor removably attached to a person utilizing a stationary monitoringcomputer, a satellite, and three spaced signal dishes. The satellitesends out, in response to the monitoring computer sending out a signal,a microwave signal received by the three dishes linked by telephone lineto the monitoring computer. The latter plots the location of the personby the use of cartesian coordinates from the information provided by thethree dishes.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,897 appears to disclose an incarceree identifyingcircuit that is used in an incarceree monitoring system which includesan incarceree identifier worn by the incarceree at a remote locationwith an electrical component having a selected electricalcharacteristic. A comparator circuit measures the selected electricalcharacteristic and compares the selected electrical characteristic to areference electrical characteristic. The comparator circuit triggers atimer if the selected electrical characteristic matches the referenceelectrical characteristic. The timer provides a signal to a speechcircuit to disable a speaker. The tone generator is responsive to thesignal and provides a verification signal via a telephone link to acentral station. A verification circuit at the central location receivesthe verification signal and determines the presence or absence of theincarceree at the remote location.

While the above-identified patents do appear to disclose trackingdevices and systems for a plurality of different applications, theirconfigurations remain non-desirous and/or problematic inasmuch as, amongother things, none of the above-identified devices and systems appear tobe configured to effectively track the activities of, for example,contractors/janitors via radio frequency/beacons for validation and/ormaximization of efficiency and/or accountability, as well as transmitdaily, weekly, monthly, and/or annual efficiency reports via smart phoneand/or desktop applications.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent inlight of the present specification, claims, and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a trackingdevice, comprising, consisting essentially of, and/or consisting of: (a)a housing, wherein the housing comprises a cavity, and further whereinthe housing is adapted for association with a user; (b) an optionalsecurement member, wherein the optional securement member is associatedwith at least a portion of the housing; (c) a tracking assembly whichcomprises; (1) a communication sub-assembly, wherein the communicationsub-assembly is at least partially positioned within the housing, andwherein the communication sub-assembly at least one of transmits andreceives a position signal; (2) an energy storage device, wherein theenergy storage device is at least partially positioned within thehousing, and wherein the energy storage device electrically communicateswith the communication sub-assembly; (d) wherein the tracking assemblypreferably tracks the motion logic and defines the job function of theemployee/janitor; (e) wherein the tracking assembly preferably trackslocation via radio frequency/beacon; (f) wherein the tracking assemblypreferably transmits data via and/or to a smart phone; and (g) whereinthe tracking assembly preferably cooperatively enables the generation ofhourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and/or annual efficiency reportspreferably via smart phone and/or desktop applications.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tracking devicefurther comprises a kinetic energy charger, wherein the kinetic energycharger is at least partially positioned within the housing, and furtherwherein the kinetic energy charger electrically communicates with atleast one of the communication sub-assembly and the energy storagedevice.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, thecommunication sub-assembly, at least one of transmits and receives aposition signal, wherein the position signal ranges in frequency fromapproximately 3 Hz to approximately 3,000 GHz.

The present invention is also directed to a tracking system, comprising:(a) a beacon system distributed across an area of operation, wherein atleast one cleaning device operates within the area of operation; (b) awearable device positioned on a user of the at least one cleaningdevice, the wearable device being configured to receive a uniqueidentifier from the at least one cleaning device through near-fieldcommunications; and (c) a service provider system that comprises acontroller having a processor and memory, the processor executinginstructions stored in memory to: (1) provision the at least onecleaning device with moving logic; (2) receive signals indicative ofactual movement of the user from motion sensors on the wearable device;(3) compare the actual movement of the user with the moving logic todetermine if the user is operating the at least one cleaning device inaccordance with the moving logic; and (4) transmit an alert to anadministrator when the actual movement of the user does not correspondwith the moving logic.

The present invention is further directed to a tracking method,comprising the steps of: (a) providing a beacon system distributedacross an area of operation, wherein at least one cleaning deviceoperates within the area of operation; (b) providing a wearable devicepositioned on a user of the at least one cleaning device, the wearabledevice being configured to receive a unique identifier from the at leastone cleaning device through near-field communications; and (c) providinga service provider system that comprises a controller having a processorand memory, the processor executing instructions stored in memory toenable: (1) provisioning the at least one cleaning device with movinglogic; (2) receiving signals indicative of actual movement of the userfrom motion sensors on the wearable device; (3) comparing the actualmovement of the user with the moving logic to determine if the user isoperating the at least one cleaning device in accordance with the movinglogic; and (4) transmitting an alert to an administrator when the actualmovement of the user does not correspond with the moving logic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by theaccompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are notnecessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understandingof the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive maybe omitted. It will be further understood that the invention is notnecessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tracking device fabricated inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the tracking device shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a tracking system utilizing thetracking device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a tracking system installed in abusiness establishment utilizing the tracking device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is perspective view of the tracking device shown in FIG. 1associated with a near field communication reader which is incommunication with a personal computer;

FIG. 6 is perspective view of the tracking device shown in FIG. 1associated with a charging assembly; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an example system architecture that canbe utilized to practice aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detailseveral specific embodiments with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principlesof the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to theembodiments illustrated.

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components,referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by likereference characters. In addition, it will be understood that thedrawings are merely schematic representations of one or more embodimentsof the invention, and some of the components may have been distortedfrom their actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.

Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, a perspectiveview of tracking device 10 is shown as generally comprising housing 20,optional securement member 30, and tracking assembly 40.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the trackingassembly preferably: (1) tracks the motion logic and defines the jobfunction of an employee/janitor; (2) tracks location via radiofrequency/beacon; (3) transmits data via and/or to a smart phone; and/or(4) enables the generation of hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and/orannual efficiency reports preferably via smart phone and/or desktopapplications.

Housing 20 may comprise, for example, a first wall, a second wall, athird wall and fourth wall, wherein the first and second walls arespaced apart from one another, and the third and fourth walls are spacedapart from one another to define a substantially polygonal cavity forhousing, for example, tracking assembly 40—among other components. Forpurposes of the present disclosure, a first wall, a second wall, a thirdwall, a fourth wall, a cap, and a base/base member may cooperate to forma watertight housing for containing tracking assembly 40 and othercomponents therein. It will be understood that housing 20 may compriseany one of a number of geometric configurations that are operablyfunctional with an associated user's clothing, body, or any portionthereof (e.g., clothing pocket, belt loop, wrist, etcetera). Also, forpurposes of the present disclosure, housing 20 is preferably fabricatedfrom one or more natural and/or synthetic polymeric and/or plasticresins, metals, alloys of metals, wood, etcetera. However, any one of anumber of materials that would be known to those having ordinary skillin the art with the present disclosure before them are likewisecontemplated for use. Housing 20 may preferably be manufactured from awaterproof material, thereby protecting the contents of the housing fromthe elements, or other outside contaminates.

In one embodiment of the present invention, tracking device 10 furthercomprises optional securement member 30 which is shown as connected toat least a portion of housing 20. Securement member 30 may preferably beattached to housing 20 using a variety of different fasteners including,but not limited to, screws, rivets, bolts, adhesives, hook and looparrangements—just to name a few. In one embodiment, securement member 30may comprise a loop of elastomeric material, for example a rubber, wherethe elastomeric material is deflectable enough to slip over the hand ofa user and will return to its original shape to secure tracking device10 around at least a portion of the user. It will be understood that anyone of a number of materials that would be known to those havingordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them arelikewise contemplated for use.

By way of another example, optional securement member 30 may comprise apair of straps with securement regions. The first strap preferablycomprises one or more tabs, and the second strap preferably comprisesone or more mating slots. Preferably, the first tab of the first strapand the first slot of the second strap are releasably secured to oneanother.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the first tab ofthe first strap may comprise a series of hooks, and a first tab of thesecond strap comprises a series of loops. In operation, the first tab ofthe first strap and the first tab of the second strap cooperate toprovide releasable securement of tracking device 10 to at least aportion of a user. Though this embodiment discloses hook and loopfasteners, any suitable releasable attachment means may be used,including but not limited to, a snapping type fastener, a button andloop, a zipper, a watch clasp, a buckle, an elastomeric strap—just toname a few.

In accordance with the present disclosure, tracking device 10 preferablycomprises tracking assembly 40. Tracking assembly 40 is preferably atleast partially positioned within housing 20. Tracking assembly 40preferably tracks the motion logic and/or defines the job function of anobject (e.g., personnel, employee, contractor, janitor, equipment,etcetera) for validation and/or maximization of efficiency and/oraccountability. Tracking assembly 40 preferably tracks location viaradio frequency/beacon. In one embodiment, tracking assembly 40preferably transmits recorded and/or real time data via and/or to asmart phone. Moreover, tracking assembly 40 preferably cooperativelyenables the generation of hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and/or annualefficiency reports preferably via smart phone and/or desktopapplications.

Referring now to FIG. 2, and in one embodiment of the present invention,tracking assembly 40 preferably includes and/or is associated with oneor more of the following components, namely: switch 42, energy sourceand/or energy storage device 44, circuit board/controller (e.g., printedcircuit board) 46, communication module 48, antenna 49, primary userinterface 50, memory module 52, light source 54, speaker 56, hapticfeedback module 58, microphone 60, kinetic energy charger 64 andrectifier 66.

Tracking assembly 40 includes one or more energy sources 44 which arepreferably at least partially contained within the internal chamber orcavity of housing 20. Energy source 44 is also preferably in electricalcommunication with circuit board/controller 46 and on/off switch 42.Energy source 44 of tracking assembly 40 preferably comprises, asecondary electrochemical cell, such as a lead acid, NiCad, NiMH, and/orlithium-ion battery and/or fuel cell. Preferred examples of lithium-ionbatteries include lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂) batteries, lithiummanganese oxide (LiMn₂O₄) batteries, lithium nickel manganese cobaltoxide (LiNiMnCoO₂) batteries, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO) batteries,lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (LiNiCoAlO₂) batteries, and lithiumtitanate (Li₄Ti₅O₁₂) batteries. In one embodiment, energy source 44comprises a secondary electrochemical cell having an anode, a cathode,and an electrolyte, wherein at least one of the anode, cathode, andelectrolyte are monitored by circuit board/controller 46, whereinvariables pertaining to the structural integrity of the anode, thecathode, the electrolyte, a passivation layer associated with the anodeand/or the cathode, and/or the cycle life of each component—includingelectrolyte level, are stored in memory module 52. In this embodiment,the secondary electrochemical cell participates in reversible redoxreactions. In addition, energy source 44 may be coupled with at leastone of a fixed capacitor, a variable capacitor, and a polarizedcapacitor to regulate the storage of potential energy within trackingassembly 40.

Tracking assembly 40 includes circuit board/controller (e.g., printedcircuit board) 46 and is preferably at least partially contained withinthe internal chamber and/or cavity of housing 20. Circuitboard/controller 46 is preferably in electrical communication withenergy source 44. Circuit board/controller 46 is associated with and/orincludes microprocessor(s), sensor(s), module(s), and/or algorithm(s)(stored internally and/or in memory module 52) for at least thefollowing functionality, namely: unit counter, time, date, position, GPScoordinates, altimeter, barometer, temperature, job/task typeidentification algorithm, job/task validation algorithm, job/taskcompletion algorithm, two-axis displacement, velocity, and/oracceleration sensor and/or algorithm, three-axis displacement, velocity,and/or acceleration sensor and/or algorithm, communications port, and/orantenna port—among other components and/or functionality.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, circuitboard/controller 46 of electronics/tracking assembly 40 comprises one ormore components, such as a battery, a bridge rectifier, a capacitor, acentral processing unit, a communications port, a control board, acrystal, a diode, a fuse, a graphics board, an inductor, an input port,an integrated circuit, a microprocessor, a memory module, an oscillator,an output port a potentiometer, a receiver, a relay, a resistor, asemiconductor, a transformer, a transistor, a tuner, a video processingunit, a wired communications hub, and/or a wireless communications hub.

Tracking assembly 40 includes communication module 48 and is preferablyat least partially contained within the internal chamber and/or cavityof housing 20. Communication module 48 is preferably in electricalcommunication with circuit board/controller 46. Communication module 48includes a wireless communications component—preferably operating withnear field communication (NFC) protocols utilizing: (1) NFC cardemulation (e.g., enables NFC-enabled devices to act like smart cards);(2) NFC reader/writer (e.g., enables NFC-enabled devices to readinformation stored on NFC tags embedded in labels or smart posters); and(3) NFC peer-to-peer (e.g., enables two NFC-enabled devices tocommunicate with each other to exchange information in an ad-hocfashion). While NFC communications have been disclosed for illustrativepurposes, other radio frequency communications and protocols arelikewise contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention,including, but not limited to those provided in Table I below.

TABLE I Frequency Wavelength ITU designation range range Full nameAbbreviation IEEE bands 3-30 Hz  10⁵-10⁴ km Extremely low ELF N/Afrequency 30-300 Hz  10⁴-10³ km Super low SLF N/A frequency 300-3000  10³-100 km Ultra low ULF N/A Hz frequency 3-30 kHz  100-10 km Very lowVLF N/A frequency 30-300  10-1 km Low LF N/A kHz frequency 300 kHz- 1km-100 m Medium MF N/A 3 MHz frequency 3-30 MHz 100-10 m High HF HFfrequency 30-300 10-1 m Very high VHF VHF MHz frequency 300 MHz-  1 m-10cm Ultra high UHF UHF, L, S 3 GHz frequency 3-30 GHz  10-1 cm Super highSHF S, C, X, frequency Ku, K, Ka 30-300 1 cm-1 mm  Extremely high EHFKa, V, W, GHz frequency mm 300 GHz-  1 mm-0.1 mm Tremendously THF N/A 3THz high frequency

In one embodiment of the present invention, communication module/member48 is preferably powered by energy storage device 44 and preferablycomprises an active radio frequency identification device whichtransmits and/or receives a position signal. Alternatively,communication module/member 48 may comprise a global positioning systemwhich transmits and/or receives a position signal.

In accordance with the present disclosure, communication module/member48 preferably transmits a position signal via either a globalpositioning system, or an active radio frequency identification device.Examples of suitable communication configurations are provided in, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 9,881,277 entitled “Wrist Band Haptic FeedbackSystem,” U.S. Pat. No. 9,881,276 entitled “Ultrasonic Bracelet andReceiver for Detecting Position in 2D Plane,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,684entitled “Personal Tracking Device,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,529,131 entitled“Electronic Tether,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,388,612 entitled “Global CellularPosition Tracking Device,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,362,778 entitled “PersonalLocation Detection System,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,931 entitled “Device forMonitoring the Movement of a Person,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,080 entitled“Body Worn Active and Passive Tracking Device,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,461entitled “Global Positioning Satellite Tracking Device,” U.S. Pat. No.5,892,454 entitled “Hybrid Monitoring of Location of a Site Confinee,”U.S. Pat. No. 5,828,306 entitled “Location Detector and Monitor andMethod of Using the Same,” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,897 entitled “HomeIncarceration System”—all of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety including the references cited therein.

Tracking assembly 40 includes antenna 49 and is preferably at leastpartially contained within the internal chamber and/or cavity of housing20. Antenna 49 may also be associated with optional securement member30.

Primary user interface 50 is preferably associated with at least one ofthe sidewalls, the top wall, and the bottom wall of housing 20 oftracking device 10. Primary user interface 50 is preferably inelectrical communication with circuit board/controller 46. In oneembodiment of the present invention, primary user interface 50 comprisesa graphical user interface and/or a circuit board having a plurality ofuser interface buttons. Primary user interface 50 may be associated withor form part of a display, such as an array of light-emitting diodes(LED) and/or an array of organic light-emitting diodes (OLED).

Memory module 52 is preferably positioned at least partially withinhousing 20 of tracking device 10. Memory module 52 is preferably inelectrical communication with circuit board/controller 46. In oneembodiment of the present invention, memory module 52 stores data,information, subject oriented data structures, and/or object orienteddata structures obtained from at least circuit board/controller 46—amongother components.

As is shown in FIG. 2, tracking assembly 40 may also include lightsource 54, speaker 56, haptic feedback module 58, microphone 60. Theabove-identified components are preferably associated directly and/orindirectly with circuit board/controller 46 and preferably positionedwithin housing 20 of tracking assembly 40.

Tracking assembly 40 may also be associated with or include kineticenergy charger 64 which converts the kinetic energy of an associateduser/individual into an electrical current (i.e. direct current and/oralternating current). In one embodiment of the present invention,kinetic energy charger 64 is at least partially positioned withinhousing 20. Kinetic energy may preferably be converted from linear,torsional, vibrational and/or compressional motion of a user wearingtracking device 10. Kinetic energy charger 64 may comprise, for example,a linear kinetic energy charger, a compressional kinetic energy charger,a vibrational kinetic energy charger, or a torsional kinetic energycharger. Preferably, kinetic energy charger 64 will comprise acombination of all the aforementioned kinetic energy chargers to takeadvantage of all the various types of kinetic energy produced by theindividual wearing tracking device 10.

In another aspect of the present invention, kinetic energy charger 64converts the kinetic energy of a user immediately into direct current.In another embodiment of the present invention, kinetic energy charger64, converts the kinetic energy of a user into alternating current. Ifkinetic energy charger 64 converts the kinetic energy to alternatingcurrent, then tracking assembly 40 may preferably further compriserectifier 66. It will be understood that rectifier 66 is at leastpartially positioned within housing 20, and converts alternating currentproduced by kinetic energy charger 64 into direct current.

In one embodiment of the present invention, energy storage device 44receives direct current from rectifier 66. In another embodiment, energystorage device 44 receives direct current from kinetic energy charger64.

In another embodiment of the present invention, tracking/electronicsassembly 40 further comprises one or more of a secondary energy source,a secondary light source, a secondary user interface, a secondarycircuit board, a secondary speaker, a vibration mechanism, a thermalsensor, a tactile sensor, and/or a display—all of which are preferablyin electrical communication with circuit board/controller 46.Preferably, the display is adapted to display at least one ofalpha-numeric content, temperature, time, image and/or graphic.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, tracking assembly 40further comprises an image sensor that is in electrical communicationwith the circuit board. The image sensor preferably provides a user withan image (e.g., a photo, a video) associated with the area proximatetracking device 10. Examples of suitable image sensors include videocamera tubes, semiconductor charge-coupled devices (CCD), active pixelsensor in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductors (CMOS), N-typemetal-oxide-semiconductors (NMOS, Live MOS), and back-side illuminatedcomplementary metal-oxide-semiconductors (BSI-CMOS).

It will be understood that the above-identified image sensors arecommercially available from a plurality of sources, including Agilent,Aptina, Canesta, Canon, Caeleste, CMOSIS, Dalsa, Eastman Kodak, ESSTechnology, Fujifilm, MagnaChip, Matsushita, MAZeT GmbH, Mitsubishi,Nikon OmniVision Technologies, ON Semiconductor, Cypress Semiconductor,PixArt Imaging, Pixim, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, STMicroelectronics,Toshiba, TowerJazz, Town Line Technologies, TransChip, Trusight andTrusense Imaging—just to name a few suppliers.

Additional examples of suitable image sensors for use in accordance withthe present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 6,359,323 B1 entitled “Colorimage sensor and method for fabricating the same,” United States PatentApplication Publication No. 2006/0043261 A1 entitled “Solid state imagepickup device and image pickup system comprising it,” U.S. Pat. No.7,129,979 B1 entitled “Image sensor pixel for global electronicshuttering,” United States Patent Application Publication No.2004/0147059 A1 entitled “Method for manufacturing CMOS image sensorhaving microlens therein with high photosensitivity,” U.S. Pat. No.5,990,506 A entitled “Active pixel sensors with substantially planarizedcolor filtering elements,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,235,549 B1 entitled “Methodand apparatus for employing a light shield to modulate pixel colorresponsivity,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,765,276 B2 entitled “Bottomantireflection coating color filter process for fabricating solid stateimage sensors,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,486,913 B1 entitled “Pixel array withshared reset circuitry,” U. S. Pat. No. 6,872,584 B2 entitled “Solidstate image sensor and method for fabricating the same,” United StatesPatent Application Publication No. 2006/0011813 A1 entitled “Imagesensor having a passivation layer exposing at least a main pixel arrayregion and methods of fabricating the same,” United States PatentApplication Publication No. 2007/0187793 A1 entitled “Filter, colorfilter array, method of manufacturing the color filter array, and imagesensor,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,992 B2 entitled “Method for fabricating animage sensor,” United States Patent Application Publication No.2006/0138500 A1 entitled “CMOS image sensor and method for fabricatingthe same,” United States Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0263839A1 entitled “Photoelectric converting film stack type solid-state imagepickup device, and method of producing the same,” United States PatentApplication Publication No. 2007/0090274 A1 entitled “Image sensorsincluding active pixel sensor arrays,” United States Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2006/0157761 A1 entitled “Image sensor withself-boosting and methods of operating and fabricating the same,” U.S.Pat. No. 6,369,417 B1 entitled “CMOS image sensor and method forfabricating the same,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,668 A entitled “Solid stateimage pickup device and method for manufacturing the same,” UnitedStates Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0023802 A1 entitled “CMOSimage sensor and method of fabricating the same,” United States PatentApplication Publication No. 2005/0090035 A1 entitled “Method forfabricating CMOS image sensor protecting low temperature oxidedelamination,” and United States Patent Application Publication No.2006/0261342 A1 entitled “Imaging device having a pixel cell with atransparent conductive interconnect line and the method of making thepixel cell”—all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety, including all references cited therein.

FIGS. 1-6 of the present invention disclose a plurality of embodimentsusing tracking devices 10, tracking systems 100, and methods of use inaccordance with the present invention, which are exemplary of a systemshown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an example system architecture that canbe utilized to practice aspects of the present disclosure. In moredetail, the architecture includes cleaning device 702, wearable device704, service provider 706, and network 708. Components of thearchitecture can communicate with one another as described herein overnetwork 708. Network 708 may include any one or a combination ofmultiple different types of networks, such as cable networks, theInternet, wireless networks, and other private and/or public networks.In some instances, network 708 may include cellular, Wi-Fi, or Wi-Fidirect. Also, service provider 706 can be embodied as a cloud computingenvironment or an equivalent thereof.

Cleaning device 702 can include any suitable cleaning apparatus (e.g.,broom, mop, sweeper, floor cleaner, walk-behind floor cleaner, ridingfloor cleaner, polisher, power washer, window washer, etcetera) that canbe operated to clean a subordinate surface, such as a mirror, a wall, afloor (see FIG. 4). In various embodiments, cleaning device 702 cancomprise controller 710 that includes at least one processor 712 andmemory 714 for storing executable instructions. The at least oneprocessor 712 can execute the instructions stored in memory 714 toprovide any of the functional or process features disclosed herein. Insome embodiments, memory 714 also stores a unique identifier thatuniquely identifies cleaning device 702. In one or more embodiments, theunique identifier is embodied in a scannable tag such as a QR code orbarcode. In one embodiment, the unique identifier is embedded in NFC tag716. In some embodiments, wearable device 704 is paired with cleaningdevice 702. In other embodiments, wearable device 704 and cleaningdevice 702 are associated or otherwise linked with one another throughservice provider 706.

According to some embodiments, memory 714 stores moving logic that isused to automatically navigate cleaning device 702 according to apredetermined cleaning pattern. Cleaning device 702 can receive themoving logic over network 708. In one or more embodiments, cleaningdevice 702 receives the moving logic over network 708 from serviceprovider 706.

Wearable device 704, such as the wristband illustrated in FIG. 1, caninclude controller 710, processor 718, memory 720, and short-rangewireless interface and reader 722. Processor 718 is configured toexecute instructions stored in memory 720 to perform various functionssuch as execution of short-range wireless interface 722 to receive theunique identifier from NFC tag 716 disposed on cleaning device 702.

In some embodiments, wearable device 704 can track or impute movement ofcleaning device 702 based on a location of wearable device 704 overtime. It will be understood that a user of cleaning device 702 iswearing wearable device 704 while operating cleaning device 702. In someembodiments, wearable device 704 can synchronously or asynchronouslytransmit movement signals indicative of an actual movement of wearabledevice 704/cleaning device 702 to service provider 706. In someembodiments, service provider 706 is configured to compare the actualmovement of wearable device 704/cleaning device 702 to the moving logicprovided to cleaning device 702 by service provider 706. Statedotherwise, service provider 706 can compare the actual movement of theuser with the moving logic to determine if the user is operatingcleaning device 702 in accordance with the moving logic.

When the actual movement of wearable device 704/cleaning device 702deviates from the moving logic provided to cleaning device 702, serviceprovider 706 can reject the data provided by wearable device 704, and insome instances transmit a warning message such as an email, text,audible alarm and/or haptic feedback to the user, an administratorand/or any other supervising entity. This comparative function allowsfor detection of fraudulent activity by an operator of cleaning device702. For example, if the actual movement of wearable device 704/cleaningdevice 702 indicates that cleaning device 702 is stationary, but themoving logic for cleaning device 702 indicates that cleaning device 702is to be performing a cleaning operation, it can be inferred that theuser of cleaning device 702 is loafing and/or acting fraudulently.

According to some embodiments, wearable device 704 can store trackinginformation for cleaning device 702 in memory 720 of wearable device 704when a connection to network 708 is unavailable. In accordance with thepresent disclosure, the architecture can include a plurality of beacons,such as beacon 724 which are distributed around an area of operation 725of cleaning device 702. The beacons preferably operate in anInternet-of-Things (IoT) arrangement, providing a mesh network. Aswearable device 704 and/or cleaning device 702 move throughout the areaof operation, wearable device 704 transmits or broadcasts its data tothe nearest beacon. The beacon(s) then forward the actual movement datato service provider 706. According to some embodiments, the dataprovided by wearable device 704 can be transmitted in real-time ornear-real-time to service provider 706. In some embodiments, wearabledevice 704 communicates with beacon 724 over a Bluetooth connectionusing short-range wireless interface 722. In some embodiments, aBluetooth low energy (BLE) protocol is utilized.

In one or more embodiments, display 726 of wearable device 704 isconfigured to display tasks such as the moving logic for cleaning device702. Other messages or communications can be transmitted to a user ondisplay 726.

In one or more embodiments, service provider 706 can push firmware orsoftware updates to wearable device 704 over network 708. In someembodiments, a wireless access point (access point coupled to network708 such as a WiFi router) is positioned in the area of operation ofwearable device 704 (see FIG. 3). Wearable device 704 receives thefirmware or software updates from wireless access point or from beacon724.

In one or more embodiments, wearable device 704 comprises motion sensor728 that tracks movements of wearable device 704 from an associateduser. According to some embodiments, processor 718 of wearable device704 can implement a pedometer algorithm to filter out unnecessarymovements which enables measurement of the performance of a task by theuser more accurately. Processor 718 can also determine when the userbegan to work using the signals from motion sensor 728. Some embodimentsallow for service provider 706 to perform these motion-based analyses.

According to some embodiments, wearable device 704 is configured to dockwith reader device 734 (See FIG. 5). In one or more embodiments, readerdevice 734 can be located in the area of operation of cleaning device702. In other embodiments, reader device 734 can be associated withcleaning device 702. Reader device 734 can be used to obtain stored datafrom memory 720 of wearable device 704. Reader device 734 can also beused to transfer data to wearable device 704 such as firmware and/orsoftware data.

In one or more embodiments, in addition to transmitting messages towearable device 704 for presentation on display 726, wearable device 704can comprise vibrational element 730 that can cause a vibrationalpattern by wearable device 704. Vibrational patterns can be used toconvey the receipt of a message by wearable device 704 that is displayedon display 726. In other embodiments, a vibrational pattern provided bywearable device 704 can communicate a specific message type to the user.For example, a short set of vibrations can be used to warn the user thatdeviations have been determined by service provider 706. For example,service provider 706 determines that the actual movement data ofcleaning device 702 deviates from the movement logic provided tocleaning device 702.

In some embodiments, wearable device 704 can couple with mobile device732 associated with a user. Mobile device 732 can implement anapplication that allows mobile device 732 to communicate with serviceprovider 706 over network 708. In some instances, mobile device 732 isused to relay data from wearable device 704 to service provider 706,such as when an access point providing connectivity through WiFi isdisabled.

In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part hereof, which illustrate specificimplementations in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It isunderstood that other implementations may be utilized, and structuralchanges may be made without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etcetera, indicate that theembodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, one skilled in the art will recognizesuch feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with otherembodiments whether or not explicitly described.

Implementations of the systems, apparatuses, devices, and methodsdisclosed herein may comprise or utilize a special purpose orgeneral-purpose computer including computer hardware, such as, forexample, one or more processors and system memory, as discussed herein.Implementations within the scope of the present disclosure may alsoinclude physical and other computer-readable media for carrying orstoring computer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Suchcomputer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby a general purpose or special purpose computer system.Computer-readable media that stores computer-executable instructions iscomputer storage media (devices). Computer-readable media that carriescomputer-executable instructions is transmission media. Thus, by way ofexample, and not limitation, implementations of the present disclosurecan comprise at least two distinctly different kinds ofcomputer-readable media: computer storage media (devices) andtransmission media.

Computer storage media (devices) includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM,solid state drives (SSDs) (e.g., based on RAM), flash memory,phase-change memory (PCM), other types of memory, other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium which can be used to store desired program code means inthe form of computer-executable instructions or data structures andwhich can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.

An implementation of the devices, systems, and methods disclosed hereinmay communicate over a computer network. A “network” is defined as oneor more data links that enable the transport of electronic data betweencomputer systems and/or modules and/or other electronic devices. Wheninformation is transferred or provided over a network or anothercommunications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or anycombination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computerproperly views the connection as a transmission medium. Transmissionmedia can include a network and/or data links, which can be used tocarry desired program code means in the form of computer-executableinstructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a generalpurpose or special purpose computer. Combinations of the above shouldalso be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions anddata which, when executed at a processor, cause a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing deviceto perform a certain function or group of functions. Thecomputer-executable instructions may be, for example, binaries,intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or evensource code. Although the subject matter has been described in languagespecific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to beunderstood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the described features or acts described above.Rather, the described features and acts are disclosed as example formsof implementing the claims.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure maybe practiced in network computing environments with many types ofcomputer system configurations, including in-dash vehicle computers,personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, messageprocessors, handheld devices, multi-processor systems,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, tablets,pagers, routers, switches, various storage devices, and the like. Thedisclosure may also be practiced in distributed system environmentswhere local and remote computer systems, which are linked (either byhardwired data links, wireless data links, or by any combination ofhardwired and wireless data links) through a network, both performtasks. In a distributed system environment, program modules may belocated in both the local and remote memory storage devices.

Further, where appropriate, the functions described herein can beperformed in one or more of hardware, software, firmware, digitalcomponents, or analog components. For example, one or more applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs) can be programmed to carry out oneor more of the systems and procedures described herein. Certain termsare used throughout the description and claims refer to particularsystem components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, componentsmay be referred to by different names. This document does not intend todistinguish between components that differ in name, but not function.

It should be noted that the sensor embodiments discussed above maycomprise computer hardware, software, firmware, or any combinationthereof to perform at least a portion of their functions. For example, asensor may include computer code configured to be executed in one ormore processors and may include hardware logic/electrical circuitrycontrolled by the computer code. These example devices are providedherein for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in furthertypes of devices, as would be known to persons skilled in the relevantart(s).

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure have been directedto computer program products comprising such logic (e.g., in the form ofsoftware) stored on any computer-usable medium. Such software, whenexecuted in one or more data processing devices, causes a device tooperate as described herein.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the inventionand the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appendedclaims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have thedisclosure before them will be able to make modifications withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilledin the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure shouldnot be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents. The foregoing description has been presented for thepurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light ofthe above teaching. Further, it should be noted that any or all of theaforementioned alternate implementations may be used in any combinationdesired to form additional hybrid implementations of the presentdisclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respectto a particular device or component may be performed by another deviceor component. Further, while specific device characteristics have beendescribed, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous otherdevice characteristics. Further, although embodiments have beendescribed in language specific to structural features and/ormethodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather,the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms ofimplementing the embodiments. Conditional language, such as, amongothers, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically statedotherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, isgenerally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include,while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements,and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intendedto imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way requiredfor one or more embodiments.

The embodiments, illustratively described herein may suitably bepracticed in the absence of any element or elements, limitation orlimitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, theterms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” etcetera shall be readexpansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms andexpressions employed herein have been used as terms of description andnot of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such termsand expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions thereof, but it is recognized that variousmodifications are possible within the scope of the claimed technology.Additionally, the phrase “consisting essentially of” will be understoodto include those elements specifically recited and those additionalelements that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristics of the claimed technology. The phrase “consisting of”excludes any element not specified.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments described in this application. Many modifications andvariations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, aswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalentmethods and compositions within the scope of the disclosure, in additionto those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations areintended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The presentdisclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims,along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims areentitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited toparticular methods, reagents, compounds compositions or biologicalsystems, which can of course vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are describedin terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individualmember or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and allpurposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, allranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subrangesand combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easilyrecognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range beingbroken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths,tenths, etcetera. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed hereincan be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upperthird, etcetera. As will also be understood by one skilled in the artall language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,”and the like, include the number recited and refer to ranges which canbe subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally,as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes eachindividual member.

All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and otherdocuments referred to in this specification are herein incorporated byreference as if each individual publication, patent application, issuedpatent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated tobe incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that arecontained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extentthat they contradict definitions in this disclosure.

Other embodiments are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. Atracking device, comprising: a housing; a securement member configuredto secure at least a portion of the housing to a user to enable thetracking device to be worn by the user; a communication sub-assemblythat provides one or more wireless communication modes for the trackingdevice, wherein the communication sub-assembly is at least partiallypositioned within the housing; an energy storage device, wherein theenergy storage device is at least partially positioned within thehousing, and wherein the energy storage device electrically communicateswith the communication sub-assembly; and a processor configured toimplement a pedometer algorithm to filter out one or more unnecessarymovements by the user to enable more accurate measurement of aperformance of a cleaning task by the user, wherein the tracking deviceis configured to (i) receive a unique identifier from at least onecleaning machine and pair with the at least one cleaning machine throughthe one or more wireless communication modes, (ii) track a motion logicassociated with the at least one cleaning machine and define a jobfunction of the user, (iii) track a movement or a location of the user,and (iv) transmit data in real-time to a server using the one or morewireless communication modes, wherein the data comprises at least one ofthe tracked motion logic for the at least one cleaning machine and thetracked movement or location of the user.
 2. The tracking deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the tracking device further comprises akinetic energy charger, wherein the kinetic energy charger is at leastpartially positioned within the housing, and further wherein the kineticenergy charger electrically communicates with at least one of thecommunication sub-assembly and the energy storage device.
 3. Thetracking device according to claim 1, wherein the communicationsub-assembly at least one of transmits and receives a position signal,wherein the position signal ranges in frequency from approximately 3 Hzto approximately 3,000 GHz.
 4. The tracking device according to claim 1,wherein the unique identifier is embodied in a scannable tag comprisinga quick response (QR) code or barcode.
 5. The tracking device accordingto claim 1, wherein the unique identifier is embedded in a near fieldcommunication (NFC) tag.
 6. The tracking device according to claim 1,wherein the tracking device is configured to transmit the data to theserver via one or more beacons distributed in or near an area ofoperation of the at least one cleaning device.
 7. The tracking deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein the one or more beacons are configured tooperate as a mesh network.
 8. The tracking device according to claim 1,wherein the at least one cleaning machine is configured to use themotion logic to automatically navigate an area of operation according toa predetermined cleaning pattern.
 9. The tracking device according toclaim 1, wherein the tracking device comprises one or more motionsensors that are configured to track the location or the movement of theuser.
 10. The tracking device according to claim 9, wherein the one ormore motion sensors comprise a velocity sensor or an accelerationsensor.
 11. The tracking device according to claim 1, wherein thetracking device is configured to track the location or the movement ofthe user based on a position signal obtained using a global positioningunit.
 12. The tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the trackingdevice comprises a microphone or a speaker positioned within orintegrated with the housing of the tracking device.
 13. The trackingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the tracking device is configuredto provide the user with haptic feedback.
 14. The tracking deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the tracking device comprises a displayfor displaying an alert or a task to the user, wherein the taskcorresponds to the motion logic associated with the at least onecleaning machine.
 15. A system comprising the tracking device and theserver of claim 1, wherein the server is configured to process the datafrom the tracking device to generate one or more user efficiencyreports.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the server is configured togenerate and transmit an alert to the user or a supervisory entity whenthe movement of the user deviates from the motion logic associated withthe at least one cleaning machine.
 17. The system of claim 16, whereinthe alert comprises a message, an email, a text, an audible alarm, orhaptic feedback.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the server isconfigured to push one or more firmware or software updates to thetracking device via the one or more wireless communication modes. 19.The system of claim 15, wherein the server is configured to provide themotion logic to the at least one cleaning machine over a network. 20.The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more user efficiency reportscomprise hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or annual efficiency reports.